Hydraulic crimp pressure feedback methods

Abstract

A crimping system for crimping fittings on hoses is disclosed and includes an interface and a crimper machine. The crimper machine is configured to analyze collected information based on identified hose and fitting properties; perform a crimping operation based on the collected information and the identified hose and fitting properties; measure crimping characteristics for the crimping operation; generate an alert based on the measured crimping characteristics and the collected information; and provide the alert to the interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A crimping system for crimping fittings on hoses, the system comprising:
 a crimper machine having a processor configured to analyze collected information based on identified hose and fitting properties; perform a crimping operation based on the collected information and the identified hose and fitting properties; measure crimping characteristics for the crimping operation; and generate an alert based on the measured crimping characteristics and the collected information; 
 one or more sensors to measure an applied crimping force as at least part of the measured crimping characteristics for the crimping operation of a hose and a fitting; 
 the processor of the crimper machine further configured to detect an inaccurate crimp from measurements of the one or more sensors and the measured crimping characteristics due to spring back from the hose and the fitting; 
 a storage configured to maintain the collected information and update the collected information based on the measured crimping characteristics; 
 the measured crimping characteristics comprise force applied, applied force measurements and crimping duration; 
 the one or more sensors including a strain gauge to measure the applied crimping force; and 
 the crimper machine is configured to analyze the measured crimping characteristics to determine if a used crimping force is within a determined crimping force range. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface having an audio device and a video display. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the crimper machine is configured to obtain the identified hose and fitting properties based on a hydraulic hose. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the collected information further comprises fitting, and hose size. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the crimper machine is configured to determine a crimping pressure for the crimping operation based on the identified hose and fitting properties and the collected information. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the crimper machine is configured to generate the alert based on the used crimping force being outside the determined crimping force range. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , the crimper machine is configured to initiate a crimp verification based on a determined result. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , the crimper machine is configured to determine servicing and maintenance based on the measured crimping characteristics. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , the crimper machine is configured to identify a potential cracking fitting and/or improper fitting insertion and/or improper die insertion based on the measured crimping characteristics and the collected information. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , the crimper machine includes a selected die based on the collected information and the identified hose and fitting properties. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an external device configured to sound the alert. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an external device configured to display the alert. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , the processor configured to analyze the measured crimping characteristics to determine maintenance status. 
     
     
       14. A crimping system for crimping fittings on hoses, the system comprising:
 a crimper machine having a processor configured to analyze collected information based on identified hose and fitting properties; perform the crimping operation based on the collected information and the identified hose and fitting properties; measure crimping characteristics for the crimping operation; and generate an alert based on the measured crimping characteristics and the collected information; 
 one or more sensors to measure an applied crimping force as at least part of the measured crimping characteristics for a crimping operation of a hose and a fitting; 
 the processor of the crimper machine further configured to detect an inaccurate crimp from measurements of the one or more sensors and the measured crimping characteristics due to spring back from the hose and the fitting; 
 a storage configured to maintain the collected information and update the collected information based on the measured crimping characteristics; 
 the measured crimping characteristics comprise force applied, applied force measurements and crimping duration; 
 the one or more sensors including a strain gauge to measure the applied crimping force; and 
 the processor configured to compare the measured applied crimping force with a range of forces to determine if the measured applied crimping force is outside the range of forces. 
 
     
     
       15. A crimping system for crimping fittings on hoses, the system comprising:
 a crimper machine having a processor configured to analyze collected information based on identified hose and fitting properties; perform a crimping operation based on the collected information and the identified hose and fitting properties; measure crimping characteristics for the crimping operation; and generate an alert based on the measured crimping characteristics and the collected information; 
 one or more sensors to measure an applied crimping force as at least part of the measured crimping characteristics for a crimping operation of a hose and a fitting; 
 the processor of the crimper machine further configured to detect an inaccurate crimp from measurements of the one or more sensors and the measured crimping characteristics due to spring back from the hose and the fitting; 
 a storage configured to maintain the collected information and update the collected information based on the measured crimping characteristics; 
 the measured crimping characteristics comprise force applied, applied force measurements and crimping duration; 
 the one or more sensors including a strain gauge to measure the applied crimping force; 
 the processor is configured to determine a crimping pressure for the crimping operation based on the identified hose and fitting properties and the collected information; and 
 the processor configured to compare the measured applied crimping force with a range of forces to determine if the measured applied crimping force is outside the range of forces. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to analyze the measured crimping characteristics to determine if a used crimping force is within a determined crimping force range. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to obtain the identified hose and fitting properties based on a hydraulic hose. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a crimping pressure for the crimping operation based on the identified hose and fitting properties and the collected information. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 15 , the processor is configured to determine servicing and maintenance based on the measured crimping characteristics. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 15 , the processor configured to analyze the measured crimping characteristics to determine maintenance status.